Fume barrier

ABSTRACT

Two parallel-spaced sheets having complementarily flanged peripheral portions forming edge intake structure and an air pump for exhausting the space between the sheets comprise an open-air fume barrier for disposition broadside between two points to isolate the points ventilatively to the extent necessary, as in preventing gasoline fumes from reaching an open flame but at the same time avoiding as much as possible any disturbance of the air at either of the points; both a specially shaped upright laboratory embodiment and a circularly symmetrical gasoline dispenser model are disclosed.

United States Patent [191 Galluzzo Apr. 17, 1973 1 FUME BARRHER Primary ExaminerWilliam F. ODea [76] Inventor: Vincent Galluzzo, 120 Gibbons Bou- Assistant Examiner Ronald capossela levard cockeysvmc Md. 2 030 Attorney-John F. McClellan, Sr. [22] FilCdI Aug. 6, 1971 57 ABSTRACT [21 1 Appl 169621 Two parallel-spaced sheets having complementarily flanged peripheral portions forming edge intake struc- [52] US. Cl ..98/115 LH ture n n ir pump f r exh s ing he spa e [51 Int. Cl. ..F23j 11/12 between the sheets comprise an open-air fume barrier [58] Field of Search ..98/31, 32, 33 A, for disposition broadside between two points to isolate 98/33 R, 36, 39, 115 R, 115 SB, 115 LH the points ventilatively to the extent necessary, as in preventing gasoline fumes from reaching an open References Cited flame but at the same time avoiding as much as possible any disturbance of the air at either of the points; UNITED STATES PATENTS both a specially shaped upright laboratory embodil,608,082 11/1926 Curran .98/l 15 SB ment and a circularly symmetrical gasoline dispenser 2,852,109 9/1958 Pine model are disclosed 3,173,879 3/1965 Arnold et all 98/115 SB X 9 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures Patented April 17, 1973 3,727,540

4 Shoots-Shoot 1 INVENTOR VINCENT GALLUZZO BY mmw &

Patented April 17, 1973 3,727,540

4 Sheets-Shout 2 FIG.3 22 22 INVENTOR. VINCENT GALLUZZO W. Imm- ATTORNEY Patented April 17, 1973 3,727,540

4 Sheets-Shut 5 Q INVENTOR.

VINCENT GALLUZZO 77%777 Trifiw v ATTORN EY BY 40 g /wwz.

Patented April 17, 1973 3,727,540

4 Sheets-Shoot 4.

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INVENTOR. VINCENT GALLUZZO ATTORNEY FUME BARRIER This invention relates generally to fume collection systems and the like, and specifically to a combination fume barrier and remover for open air applications.

Industrial hazards and pollution, including fume control, have become recognized as major problems in the world today.

In the prior art many different fume control designs have been disclosed. Usually these are in the categories of canopy-and-stack removers, such as those developed for overhead use with ranges, locomotives, etc.; enclosing removers such as chemical bench hoods and paint spray booths, or side-intake devices such as high volume open end hoses for removing sawdust,.welding fumes, and the like.

The present invention includes advantages not provided by any'of the prior art devices and does not have the exact structure of any of them. It was invented to do an exacting job under special conditions, but, as will be seen, the potential industrial and commercial applications for which the invention is suited are numerous.

Even though the invention is not limited to the applications for which it was invented, by way of typical example of usefulness, in reference to the first embodiment an application for which the device was invented will be described, first briefly, and later in more detail in reference to the drawings. Briefly stated here, this application requires interposing a safety ventilation barrier between a source of fumes such as an open gasoline sample flask, and a nearby hazardous location such as a flame which must be maintained in still, open air for purposes of testing the. gasoline sample. Disturbance of air at either location degrades testing results, and must be avoided insofar as practicable. Specifically these conditions are imposed when using such instruments as a Perkin Elmer Model 403 Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer in testing combustible volatile fluids, for reasons which will become more apparent later in the specification.

Objects ofthe invention therefore are:

to provide a fume barrier for the purpose described, and for similar applications, which safely and positively bars the passage of hazardous fumes, and which removes the fumes and prevents fume concentrations in the removal area;

to provide a fume barrier which requires an absolute minimum of air pumping for fume removal, and which makes maximum use of the pumped air, both as to flow and as to intake, so as to disturb the air behind and before the barrier as little as possible;

to provide a fume barrier which is broad and high relative to the location protected, yet which is relatively very thin from front-to-back and which has smooth surfaces to prevent eddy currents from forming as result of ambient air transients passing parallel to the broad plane of the barrier;

to provide a fume barrier which efficiently deflects ambient air transients flowing normal to the plane of the barrier, thus beneficially reducing circulation of air behind the barrier;

to provide a fume barrier which permits maximum access to the areas adjacent the barrier, which is adapted for leakage-resistant feed-through installations, which is easily moved from place to place, which requires minimum space for storage which is silent in operation, economical to construct, simple to use, and very pleasing in appearance.

The invention in typical embodiment is characterized by relatively thin, broad, high vertically disposed gas-impermeable sheet structure having a peripheral air intake system so arranged as to create a peripheral fume trap adapted to make maximum use of minimal airflow.

The above and other advantages and objects of this invention will become more easily understood from examination of the following description, including the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view looking slightly upward;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation;

FIG. 3 is a section taken at 3-3,, FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an end view, looking upward;

FIG. 5 is a section taken at 55, FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a rear elevation.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation in partial section;

FIG. 8 is a front elevation detail; and

FIG. 9 is a rear elevation.

Before referring to the drawings in detail, a brief indication of the features illustrated is given at this point to make the details easier to relate to the structure. A first embodiment is shown in FIGS. 1-6, and a second embodiment in FIGS. 79. Phantom lines indicate exemplary equipment with which the invention is used in the one application described. One face of the structure, called the front face, is the air intake face. The drawings illustrate a pair of proximate, parallelspaced flat sheets having an air-exhaust connected through one of the sheets (the back sheet) to draw air from between the sheets and exhaust it elsewhere. The sides and tops of the sheets are formed into complementary convoluted flanges, spaced and related to produce a continuous, especially efflcient laminar-flow intake around the sides and top of the air intake face of the structure.

The second embodiment is circularly symmetrical except for the exhaust provision.

In the first embodiment the bottom of the structure opens directly down, without flanges at the bottom edges of the sheets, and the bottom intake so-formed is continuous with the side and top intakes, completing a 360 peripheral intake around the edges of the spaced sheets. The flange-bounded portion of the structure is circular at the top, fairing into a parallel-sided upper width which in turn fairs into a outwardly tapering lower width. A box-like bevelled edge structure at the lower rear of the device stiffens it and spaces it for installation.

Reference is now made to the Figures in detail, like numbers indicating like elements.

FIGS. I, 2, and 3 show aspects of the invention 10, a fume barrier, in perspective, in front elevation, and in section, respectively. In the use illustrated, the invention is conveniently attached by fasteners C to a laboratory bench L, in position to shield a hazardous point, in this instance is a flame F, visible behind the fume barrier in FIG. 1 and through the window in FIG. 2. The flame is maintained as part of the function of a testing instrument I, and, as will be seen, is located in the open front of the testing instrument I. Volatile, combustible, and other fluids to be tested are introduced into the flame by means of a flask G feeding tube T which passes through a feedthrough in the flame barrier. As noted, the ground rules of this application are: (a) to isolate and remove fumes, represented by the arrowheaded wavy lines, (b) not to disturb the flame, which is a constant in the testing, and (c) not to disturb air pressure at the fluid intake end or free end of tube T, since ambient pressure there must remain constant relative to ambient pressure at the flame for optimum results. The hood H is a convection hood and is ineffectual to prevent fumes from reaching the flame.

The parts of the fume barrier include, as special features for the application shown, the window 12 and feed-through 14, both of which will be described in more detail later. The basic structure of the fume barrier 10 is generally bell-shaped. In accordance with this, the front sheet has a rounded top 18 and a flared lower portion 20. The top 18 and sides 22 of the front sheet are formed out-of-plane in a smooth curve fairing into a rounded flange which terminates in an upstanding edge forming a substantially 75 open anglewith the flat area of the front sheet.

A second or back sheet 24 is spaced parallel with the front sheet 16 by posts 26 which connect the sheets.

An aperture 48 for exhaust of fumes gathered by the barrier through a conduit 50, is provided in the lower center ofthe back sheet.

The back sheet is bell shaped in outline like the front sheet. The rounded top 28 and sides 30 curl over in substantially a 360 return, encompassing the flanged edges 18 and 22 of the front sheet at a distance leaving an intake airspace 32 between the curled outer edges and the flanged inner edges.

Section 33 of FIG. 2, shown in FIG. 3, illustrates this relation of the edges of the two sheets. The relation shown is typically all around the periphery of the fume barrier except at the bottom.

As indicated by the arrows in FIGS. 1 and 3, the airflow induced by the pumping is made substantially eddy-free, or laminar, by the circularly convoluted equi-spaced trapping edges of the sheets in which the outer sheet curls over the 75 rounded flange of the inner sheet in a 360 circular return ending with all edges offset.

The fume barrier 10 tapers outward in outline from about the mid-height down, and stops just short of the floor D. Obviously, if not used with a solid-front bench the bottom extends to the floor to complete the barrier.

An intake opening 34 is provided between the bottoms of the two sheets. This bottom opening extends from one side of the fume barrier to the other, joining the openings at the sides to form a continuous intake around the entire periphery of the fume barrier. Eddies caused by heavy fumes which may sink to the floor are efficiently smoothed and the fumes are gathered by the edge-on opening 34 at the bottom.

The bottom 36 of the back sheet 24 extends somewhat below the bottom of the front sheet 16 and terminates in a 45 bevel 40 at the lower edge, a 45 bevel 42 at the sides, and a bevel 44 at the corners.

A mounting bracket 52, integral with the back plate, provides the mounting ears 54 by means of which the fume barrier is screwed or clamped to the bench L.

FIG. 4, an end view of the fume barrier 10 looking upward, shows that the back edges of the bevels join a closure plate 46, forming a box-like structure. Also, shown in FIG. 4 are the relations of the air intakes, inner and outer flanges, and other parts of the fume barrier visible from the bottom aspect.

FIG. 5, a side view in section taken along midline 5- 5 of FIG. 2, shows in section a portion of the box-like structure along the lower part of the rear of the device. The box-like structure is completely enclosed as can be seen. It does not ventilatively communicate with any other portion of the fume barrier, but serves to protect, stiffen, and strengthen the fume-barrier, and to space it away from the bench or other structure to which mounted, leaving room for passage of an exhaust conduit downward through the box-like structure if desired.

As shown in FIG. 5 the exhaust conduit 50 does lead to an air pump from exhaust aperture 48 downward through the boxlike structure, entering at a hermetically sealedjunction and emerging at a similarjunction, avoiding fume accumulative pockets.

The relation of the fume barrier with the exemplary instrument I can best be seen in FIG. 5. The flame F is emitted from burner apparatus A, and is observed through an optical viewing port P by a detector (not shown) which is sensitive to changes in emissions and absorptions indicative of sample constituency when selected radiation is projected through the flame onto the detector, from a source (not shown).

The flame is and must be maintained in open air, being somewhat shielded from drafts at the bottom and on three sides by the instrument casing. It may have a small convection hood H at the top, but essentially must burn in still air at a constant pressure relative to the fluid intake on the other side of the fume barrier, as noted, for best results.

FIG. 6 shows the rear elevation of the fume barrier. It will be appreciated that the window 12 is preferably actually a double window, one pane being flush with the back sheet 24 and the other pane being flush with the front sheet. The space between the panes is preferably not obstructed, but free for fume passage.

The window panes may be of reinforced glass, fused quartz, mica, or any other suitable transparent, fumeimpermeable material. The feed-through 14 may be of silicone rubber or other material capable of forming a tight seal. The remainder of the fume barrier structure may be of metal such as aluminum sheeting, which is light and easily formed, and weldable, but which is impermeable to fumes and resistant to damage, or of plastic such as fiber glass which also has suitable characteristics.

In summary, it can be seen from the foregoing description that the design of the embodiment l0 fume barrier of this invention fully meets the needs of many very exacting installations and of a vast number of less exacting installations:

a. Thc open-air hazardous point is safely isolated from the source of fumes;

b. The isolating fume barrier is easily installed and used, and requires little space, but is uniquely effective;

c. The effectiveness of the barrier includes not only the explosion-proofing or pollution-proofing feature, but also the feature of making maximum use of air pumped, to avoid disturbances by confining the intake of air to the extreme radial distance from the axis of the points isolated from each other afforded by the barrier so that there is minimum disturbance at either point;

d. The isolation feature also includes anti-eddy provisions avoiding fume concentrations by inducing laminar flow at the side and top intakes, and smoothing floor-eddies by direct intake at the belled-width bottom of the barrier;

e. As illustrated, the thin front-to-back dimension of the invention allows direct, short-distance feed through, even through the exhaust conduit thickness, permitting passage of instrument-controls, feed tubes, windows, and other necessary adaptations for special needs, directly, and with maximum ease and certainty;

f. All portions of the fume barrier are rounded or bevelled, so that personnel hazards are avoided and a visually pleasing, efficient-looking instrument results, which attractively blends with modern scientific laboratory surroundings.

The second embodiment of the invention, which is preferably of fiberglass, has many of the same general advantages and objects as the first, but is specifically scaled down for use with a movable volatile fluid dispensing system, such as a gasoline nozzle.

FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 show that the embodiment 100 has the peripheral curled-edge intake arrangement described earlier. The trapping of fumes at a radial distance from the general axis of the device provides the same smooth airflow as before, and requires a minimum ofair movement to do the job, or conversely does a betterjob with the same airflow.

In reference to this second embodiment, FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 show the front and back sheets, 116, 124 respectively. These form an airtight seal with a rubber grommet I14 encircling the nozzle N. Exhaust port 148 in the back sheet connects through exhaust hose 150 to a suitable explosion-proof pump, not shown.

The outer edges, 118 and 128 respectively, are contoured in section as in embodiment previously described, and are circularly symmetrical about the axis, leaving a 360 intake 132.

Radially deployed springs 166 connect at one end with studs 164 on the back of the back sheet 124 and at the other end with a collar 162 on the nozzle to keep the embodiment 100 aligned, allowing it to yield resiliently to conform to particular structures which the nozzle is to fill.

A row of spacers 126, shown in FIG. 8, unites the two sheets ofthe device to preserve the pumping space.

It can easily be seen that gasoline fumes released in automobile filling will be trapped and safely removed before release where they could pollute the atmosphere and create explosion hazards.

It is to be understood that the exact size of the instrument described is of no importance. The proportions shown may be adapted to very large installations without inventive change.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope ofthe appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed and desired to be obtained by United States Letters Patent is:

1. An open-air fume barrier for ventilatively isolating a first point, such as a source of explosive fumes, from a second point such as an open flame, with minimum disturbance of the amblent air, comprlsmgz spaced first and second sheet means for deployment broadside as a barrier between the points to be isolated, said sheet means spacing forming an intake opening proximate the peripheries thereof, the first sheet means having a peripheral flanged portion adapting said first sheet means for facing the first point and the second sheet means having a peripheral flanged portion curving over the peripheral flanged portion of the first sheet means in spaced relation thereto, thereby defining said intake opening, and means for exhausting the air from between the sheet means, for thereby drawing fumes through the intake opening into the space between the sheet means, ventilatively isolating one said point from the other;

2. An open-air fume barrier as: recited in claim 1, wherein the first sheet means flange is smoothly curved into an open angle, and wherein the second sheet means flange is smoothly curved into a closed angle.

3. An open-air fume barrier as recited in claim 2, wherein the first sheet means flange angle is approximately and wherein the second sheet means flange angle is approximately 360.

4. An open-air fume barrier as recited in claim 1,

wherein the fume barrier is generally bell-shaped in broad outline, with the lower portion of the spaced sheets being substantially horizontal and opening directly downward and the remaining portions of the spaced sheets having said flanges defining the intake opening, said intake opening being continuous around the fume barrier.

5. An open-air fume barrier as recited in claim 4, wherein the fume barrier has an integral lower portion a boxlike structure attached to the second said sheet means and wherein the means for exhausting the air from between the sheet means includes a duct hermetically attached at a median aperture through the second said sheet means and leading downward and out through the box-like structure.

6. An open-air fume barrier as recited in claim 1, wherein said fume barrier has a tubular conduit for conducting fluids through an intermediate portion thereof.

7. An open-air fume barrier as recited in claim 6, wherein said fume barrier has a transparent window through an upper portion thereof.

8. An open-air fume barrier as recited in claim 1, wherein the fume barrier is circularly symmetrical about an axis, and has an aperture in the axis for passage ofa fluid conduit therethrough.

9. An open-air fume barrier as recited in claim 8, wherein the fume barrier has means connected therewith for resiliently aligning any said fluid conduit passed therethrough with respect to the axis of the fume barrier. 

1. An open-air fume barrier for ventilatively isolating a first point, such as a source of explosive fumes, from a second point such as an open flame, with minimum disturbance of the ambient air, comprising: spaced first and second sheet means for deployment broadside as a barrier between the points to be isolated, said sheet means spacing forming an intake opening proximate the peripheries thereof, the first sheet means having a peripheral flanged portion adapting said first sheet means for facing the first point and the second sheet means having a peripheral flanged portion curving over the peripheral flanged portion of the first sheet means in spaced relation thereto, thereby defining said intake opening, and means for exhausting the air from between the sheet means, for thereby drawing fumes through the intake opening into the space between the sheet means, ventilatively isolating one said point from the other.
 2. An open-air fume barrier as recited in claim 1, wherein the first sheet means flange is smoothly curved into an open angle, and wherein the second sheet means flange is smoothly curved into a closed angle.
 3. An open-air fume barrier as recited in claim 2, wherein the first sheet means flange angle is approximately 75* and wherein the second sheet means flange angle is approximately 360*.
 4. An open-air fume barrier as recited in claim 1, wherein the fume barrier is generally bell-shaped in broad outline, with the lower portion of the spaced sheets being substantially horizontal and opening directly downward and the remaining portions of the spaced sheets having said flanges defining the intake opening, said intake opening being continuous around the fume barrier.
 5. An open-air fume barrier as recited in claim 4, wherein the fume barrier has an integral lower portion a boxlike structure attached to the second said sheet means and wherein the means for exhausting the air from between the sheet means includes a duct hermetically attached at a median aperture through the second said sheet means and leading downward and out through the box-like structure.
 6. An open-air fume barrier as recited in claim 1, wherein said fume barrier has a tubular conduit for conducting fluids through an intermediate portion thereof.
 7. An open-air fume barrier as recited in claim 6, wherein said fume barrier has a transparent window through an upper portion thereof.
 8. An open-air fume barrier as recited in claim 1, wherein the fume barrier is circularly symmetrical about an axis, and has an aperture in the axis for passage of a fluid conduit therethrough.
 9. An open-air fume barrier as recited in claim 8, wherein the fume barrier has means connected therewith for resiliently aligning any said fluid conduit passed therethrough with respect to the axis of the fume barrier. 